System for automatic valve control



J 21, 1927- J. 5. KENNEDY SYSTEM FOB AUTOMATIC VALVE CONTROL OriginalFiled Dec. 21, 1921 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 vwemto'z; n v 83 M; elf 07m J June 21, 1927 J. KENNEDY 1,632,905

SYSTEM FOR AUTOMATIC VALVE CONTROL OriginalFiled Dec. 21, 1921 6 Sheets-Shut 3 1,632,905 June 21 1927. J. S. KENNEDY SYSTEM FOR AUTOMATIC VALVE CONTROL Original Filed Dec. 21, 1921 6 Shan 13 June 21 1927.

1,532,905 J. S. KENNEDY SYSTEM FOR AUTOMATIC VALVE cou'mon OriginalFil ed Dec. 21, 1921 s Sheets-$heet '4 /'m .1 anmmoz sa 21' aumw',

J. 5. KENNEDY SYSTEM FOR AUTOMATIC VALVE CONTROL June 21, 1927.

Original Filed Dec. 21 1921 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 gmvehtoz Ja /1% 33mg @Qbtmmug June 21 1927.

J. SDKENNEDY SYSTEM FOR AUTOMATIC VALVE CONTROL OriginalFiled Dec. 21, 1921 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 gnvemtoz I I 7 W 13/4 1 @lbtozmm Patented June 21, 1927.

UNITED STATas f'i arla;NT OFFICE.

new and improve trolled gas prod JAMES S. KERN EDY, OF YONKEB S, WARD common, a come svs'rnm non su'roma'rxc vanvn cou'rnon.

NEW YORK, ASSIGNOB TO THE RATION OI MARYLAND.

BARTLETT ELY- ori mai application area December a1, 1921, semen in. 524,088. names and this application fled.

The present invention has relation to a (1 electrical system of valve control, useful in connection with any apparatus automatically operated by means of valves. The subject" matter of this invention is more particularly useful in connection'with an automatically operated and conucer set. I have described and claimed such its application to matic gas se but without any blows "descent fuel, b

I Durin throu ture steam. I l

Besides the valves controlling passages of it is necessaryjto operate er sequence the stack cap, the oil adchment of the basic gas in the mutually connected hot valves which deter- !0 the air and steam,

, in prop mission for enr1 the carburettor and upper and lower through the fuel.

complete cycle of variations in a nu such variations wil portions of the total time occupied byeach blow and .run as well as the proper modmitting and cutting off oil and the direction of the flow of the hot valves. The determination of these various factors is the function of a gas engineer, and, where all of d inter-related valve 'movehydraulic power to mov lis'hed manually,-the closest hydraulic cylinders or en abor is rendered necessary. Indeed it is, virtually impossible to insure at all times with the rules down by the, engineer.

ment for a for reversing steam by moving the successive an ments are accom supervision of The total length of time occupied by a operation will vary with mber. of conditions; and 1 also determine theproerfect compliance or operation laid a set in my pending appllcation for United States Letters Patent, Se-

rial Number 524,038, 1921, of which t system herei his 1s adivision. Since the d is best exemplified in the operation of an autot, it is so described hereinafter, intention of limiting the lication bf the invention.

n claims as involves a cycle of operaerally a series of and is being formed by the ough a mass of incanthe .b ows air is being the fuel mass to restore the tern eraost during the decomposition o 86 mine the direction (up or down) of flow January 4, 1828. Serial 110. 610,729.

Besides this,

and property.

The

above mentioned may and entire accuracy. filed December 21st,

necessary at any time.

the making of carbusion of cycles 0 alterruns. During the as should properl forced the invention will ap the closm a similar sive parts of a tota V Figure 6 showing the ieavy, it 15 now pable among other thin to existing types of water ga whereby all of the complicated be automatically trolled and timed with complete certainty The utmost flexibility so that the order of by each is determination by as to set the mechoperation deemed Once set, the device ngabout a succes-' character, without possibility of mistake or accident. its preferred form, my complete interlocking, w lar operation can be carrie previous occurrence of such other operations anticipate it. Other novel an advantageous hereinafter.

A- preferred embo iment ofthe invention is illustrated in the accompanying ings, wherein Figures 1, 1 and 1" are diagrams showing the relat on of the controller pro er to the apparatus for opening and of operation 1s possible, operations and the time occupied capable of quick and eas an engineer, who merely anism for the particular can be relied upop1 t3 bri t e esire ear 3 2 an 2 are related diagrams s I controller. andits driving means, Flgu operation of t e valves.

As several of the valves moved in the operation of careless operation sometimes causes accidents which are dangerous to life present invention supplies means cags of easy application s sets or plants, operations con- system involves a hereby no particud out without the the various master valves Figures 2, howmg the re 3 is diagram illustrating the relation of the controller to the safety means, whereby the emer ency switchtrip is operated in case of acci ent, Figures 4 and 5 are succesdiagram, showing the operating means for an entire system and is a diagram on a referred means for manual which have to be water gas sets, artioularly in sets of large size, are very the practice to em loy.

e such valves.

gines which supply this motive power are controlled by master valves conveniently grouped, and, in my preferred apparatus the controller is employ to control the motive means drawlarger scale for said master features of valves. One preferred means whereby a master valve is thus controlled is shown in diagram in Figure 1; it being understood that the description applies to all the master valves used'in my system.

In Figure 1, the front of'tlie controller (driven preferably as hereinafter described) is shown at the right. The circular dial 10 is numbered at equal intervals around its circumference from 0 to 10, these intervals preferably representing ten minutes of time, a period longer than the total period of blow and run or cycle which 'is likely to be used.

The finger 11 is moved intermittently clockwise around the dial 10 at a constant speed making the total circuit in ten minutes; and it carries a contacting member 12 which can be brought into electrical contact with successive stationary members 13 and 14, which are capable of being moved, in any well known manner, along the same circular path, so that contact with the member 12 will take place at any particular time desired. F or convenience an open circle (as 13) will indicate a stationary adjustable contact member used for opening a valve, while a filled or black circle (as lat) indicates a member used for closing a valve. As will be described in connection with Figures 4t and 5 the plurality of instrumentalities for operating a gas set is controlled from one controller, by using stationary adjustable contact members in separate concentric circles, each circle corresponding to a single instrumentality. This arrangement is preferred, but is not, of course, essential.

In Figure 1, a hydraulic master valve is indicated at 15. valve is, as usual, operated by the rod 16, pivoted at 17 to the handle 18, which is in turn pivoted at 19. This is for hand oper tion.

The preferred means for automatic operation of each valve com rise the following elements. The upper end of each operating rod 16 is pivotally connected, through the connecting rod 16, with the lower half of the eccentric strap 20, within which is closely fitted the eccentric disk 21. This disk is eccentrically and loosely mounted upon the shaft 22, which is continuously rotated by the motor hereinafter referred to in connection with Figures 4: and 5.

A clutch member 23 is slidably mounted on the shaft 22 and is keyed thereto, so as always to turn with it. Then forced to the left in Figure 1 in the manner described hereinafter, the member 23 makes frictional engagement with the clutch disk 24, which is fixed to the disk 21, thus causing this latter to revolve with the shaft 22. By causmg successive engagements of the clutch members of suitable duration, the disk 21 can be rotated through 180 degrees at a The moving part of the.

menace time, thereby causing successive up and down movements of the operating rod 16, and so opening and closing the valve 15.

These periodical engagements and disengagements of the clutch-members are preferably accomplished by an electro-magnetic solenoid 25 which, when energized, lifts a lever 26 fulcrumed at 27. This acts through the bell crank lever 28 and the usual forks 29 and collar 30 to move the clutch member 23 in a well known manner. Disengagement of the clutch is accomplished by the spring 31, when the solenoid is (lo-energized.

in order that the rotation of the disk 21 may be limited to 180 degrees at each operation, there is fixed to-one face of the disk a fiber disk which bears a conducting plate shown in Figure 1 at This plate has an enlargement and is furnished with segment shaped openings. as shown, in order to cooperate as described hereinafter with the four contact brushes 3%, 35, 36 and 37, to control the movements of the solenoid 25 and therefore of the disk 21.

Supposing the valve 15 to be closed, and that it is desired thatit shall open when the intermittently moving brush 12 reaches the contact 13. In this position brushes and 37 make contact with the plates (Fig. 1) while the brush 3-1 being outside the edge of the plate and the brush 36 being over an aperture in the same, these brushes are not in circuit.

As soon as the brush 12 touches the terminal 13, circuit will be closed from the main terminal L by wire 38 to the finger 11 and brush 12, terminal 13, wire 39, brush 37, plate 33, brush 35, wire 40 and solenoid 25, to the other main terminal L This causes the disk 21 to revolve, and with it the plate 33, thus bringing the brush 36 very soon into contact with the plate 33, and short-circuiting the controller 10, and insuring continuance of rotation of the disk 21 through 180 degrees, at the end of which movement the brush 36 comes over the second opening in the plate, and, as the brush 37 has left the enlargement on the plate 33, the circuit through the solenoid is definitely and finally broken. This permits disengagement of the clutch, and the disk 21 stops turning. however, the enlargement on the plate 33 has come under the brush 3%, and the solenoid will be again energized (to close the valve) when the brush 12 touches the terminal 14.

The apparatus for actuating the controller proper is shown in Figures 2, 2", 2". The motive forcemay be supplied by any constant speed motor, preferably an electric motor as indicated at 11. This motor, by ap propriate gearing as shown, drives the shaft 42 continuously, and at a relatively high speed. The shaft l3, upon which is mounted the controller finger 11, is normally driven At the end of this movement,'

tion and this gear is mounted loosely on the shaft 43. In normal operation each movement of the spur gear46 causes the shaft 43 tomove the finger 11 througlrone quarter minute space, and forty of these movements carry the finger from the zero .position at the top of the dial in Figure 1 to the ten minute position shown in that figure. This arrangement is adapted to cycles ofblow and run occupying ten minutes or less. Of

course the system can be adapted'to otherlifted. All of these operations are carried total time intervals by obvious means,

A double-faced clutch 47" is keyed to and slidably mounted upon the shaft 43, and this clutch is controlled by the pivoted levers 48' and 49, actuated in one direction by the solenoid 50 and in the other direction by thespring 51. This spring normally holds one face of-the friction clutch 47 in operative contact with the corresponding clutch memher on oneface of the gear 46, as shown. In consequence, so long as this normal position is preserved, each forward intermittent movement of the gear 46 produces a movement forward of the finger 11.

On the opposite side of the clutch 47, the shaft 43 carries aloos'ely mounted inion 52, which is geared to the shaft 42, as s own, in a. manner to produce a relatively rapid angular velocity in said pinion. When the a solenoid 50 is energized it operates through actuated,

the leversf49 and 48 to cause engagement of theclutch 47 with a clutch member on the pinion 52 and the shaft 43 is thereby caused torevolve rapidly forward clockwise. The lever 48 carries an insulated bar 53, which closes the switch 54, when the solenoid is for a purpose described hereinafter. 1

A revoluble drum switch, showndeveloped upon a plane at 55 in Figure 2, carries on its insulating surface two metal plates 56, 57, which are ada ted to close circuits respectively across t e pairs of terminals 58 and 59. This drum turns with a supporting shaft upon which is also fixed the lever 60 normally supported by a pin 61 resting on one of the arms of a three-armed lever 62 (see Figure 2"). The spring 63 acts to depress the lever 60 with a quick snappy movement whenever the support at 62 is withdrawn, thereby producing a sudden break of circuit at 56 and 57.

-The dropping of the lever 60 is accomsupporting lever 62 under the maximum finger 11 will be promptly returned to within the next fifteen second period.

plished .by a cam 64 fixed to the shaft 43, and so related to. the finger 11 of the controller that, just as said zero position, the support for the pin 61 is withdrawn, thus breaking circuits at 56 and 57. .Immediately afterward the cam 64 permits the spring 65 to act to restore the lever 62 to the position shown in Figure 2". T lllS return to normal is permitted by the lifting of the lever 60 by means of a pin 66 on the arm carried by the shaft 42 (revolving anticlockwise as shown by' the arrow in"F1gure 2") which pin lifts thetip' of the lever 60, permitting the spring 65 to bring the the (pill 61.

' In order thatthe energizing circuit of the solenoid 50 may be closed at a time when the pin 66 is in proper relation with thebar 66,

the solenoid circuit includesapair of terminals 67 which are bridged by the insulated metal pin 68, on an arm carried bythe shaft 42, a few'moments after the lever 60 has been on at relatively high speed, and well within the fifteen second period between normal movements of the finger 11. v

In orderthat the finger 11 of the controller may be ready to start from zero at the end of the fifteen second period which, concludes a given cycle, and so t-hat th 1s may be done whatever'the total time (within limit occupied by the complete cycle of blow and run, a special end of run contact 69 is provided, the position of which on the controller dialis adjustable in an well known manner. This is so placed that, at the proper moment, the brush .12 makes contact with it, when the This is accomplished as follows,

As soon as the brush 12 touches the end of run contact 69, a moment or two will elapse before the pin 68 closes circuit at 67, when the solenoid 50 will be energized by a circuit as follows: From main terminal L" through the finger 11 and brush 12 to contact 69, by wire 70, switch 67, wire 71, solenoid 50, switch 56 and wire 72 to main terminal L. i

Although stantly broken at 67 a branch circuit established at 54 by the action of the solenoid will preserve the circuit. The clutch 47 will at once cause theswiftly moving pinion 52 to drive the shaft 43, carrying the finger 11 forward, and, just as said finger reaches zero, port 62 from under the pin 61, thus opening the solenoid circuit at 56, and stopping the finger by movement of the clutch 47 back to the normal position shown in Figure 2. Itwill be seen that this return of the finger 11 to zero is accomplished well within the fifteen second period between normal movefinger reaches the zero this circuit will be almost'inthe cam 64 will remove the supments of the finger, thus avoiding all waste of time.

It is, ot course, sometimes desirable to shut down the apparatus and this should occur normally only at the end of a completed cycle. By use of the apparatus shown in Figure 2, the normal shut down switch may be opened at any time during a run or blow. and the shutting down will be postponed automatically to the end of the cycle.

The normal shut down switch '73 closes circuit to the motor 41, through wires 74, and 72, but, so long as the drum switch 55 is in the position shown (which keeps the solenoid 50 prepared) the motor 41 will be supplied with current by a branch circuit including the wire 7 6 and the switch 57. Ilcnce, on opening circuit at 73, the motor 41 will go on running until the lever 60 is dropped and the drum switch 55 is operated to de-energize the solenoid 50. As already explained, this only occurs at the end of a cycle.

Before referring to the complete organization shown in Figures 4 and 5, reference will be had to Figure 3, which illustrates the automatic and the manually operated emergency apparatus whereby the entire system can be at once placed in safe condition, in case of accident, without waiting 'for the end of the cycle.

Assuming that the hydraulic cylinder 79" in Figure 3 operates (for instance) to open the carburetter valve, which by some accident fails to close when the brush 12 reaches its closing terminal 14. Each of the hydraulic cylinders is connected for interlocking purposes with a revoluble drum circuit-controller 77, the various arrangements of which are fully shown in diagram in Figure 4 and 5. In Figure 3 this circuit controller is shown in end view and only the contacts associated with the emergency shut down are shown. Circuit is closed at the switch 77 when the main valve is open, but as the valve closes, a rod 78, attached to the rod 7:) moving with the valve, operates through a pin 80 on the forked lever 81 to open circuit at 77.

Associated with each operating contact (as 14) on the main controller is an emergency contact 82. so placed as to be touched by the brush 12 as soon as it leaves the corresp nding contact 14. Consequently if the main valve intended to be closed when contact occurs at 14 should fail to operate, circuit will be closed at 82 to shut down the whole system. as follows.

From the terminal L by wire 92 to the emergency switch 84, by wire 85 to finger 11, brush 12, contact 82, wire 86. switch 77, wire 87. the high voltage coils of a transformer 89. and back to terminal L Current from the low tension side of the transformer will then energize the releasing magnet 89 which esaeoe withdraws the latch 90 from the pivoted bar of the emergency switch, allowing the spring 91 to throw the switch down to close circuits through the lower stationary contacts shown in Figure 3. As will be seen from inspection of the circuits in Figures .4 and 5, this operation of the emergency switch will act to open the stack, if closedclose the generator and carburetter blast it openopen the upper hot valve it closed and close the oil valve it open. This places the set in a safe condition until the trouble can be located and repaired.

Inasmuch as the circuit of the motor 41 that runs the controller proper is opened when the emergency switch is thrown, the finger 11 will stop in a position to indicate at once which valve has failed to work, and so locate the difiiculty.

It is desirable that an alarm bell should be rung when the emergency switch is automatically thrown, and this is accomplished as follows: current from IA, goes by wire 02 and wire 93 to switch 94 to a bell 95 and thence by wire 96 to the terminal L In order to permit instant shut down by manual operation, a spring-pressed rod 97 is used which, when pushed, swings the pivoted lever 98, thereby tripping the latch 90 and throwing the emergency switch. In order to prevent ringing of the alarm bell on manual shutting down, the lever 98 carries a hook 99 which normally holds the pivoted lever 100 in the position shown. thereby keeping the plug switch 94 closed. \Vhen this hook is depressed, however, on pushing the rod 97, the spring 101 draws the lever 100 to the right and opens the switch 94, thus opening the bell circuit. An extension 102 on the lever 100 is supported by the lever of the emergency switch, so that the lever 100 will be reset when the lever 84 is reset by hand.

For the sake of clearness, certain parts of the total system of circuits used in practice have been isolated in the foregoing description, and these are sufficient for the normal operation of a practical system, assuming that no accidents occur. In actual operation, of course, accidental failure of operation in one member or another of the entire system must be foreseen and provided for. In some cases. such a failure of operation would result in serious damage and even possible loss of life, and, for this reason, I prefer to make what may be termedan interlocking system, whereby accidents of this kind are automatically and certainly prevented. Such a system is shown in Figures 4 and 5, which should be placed end to end with Figure 5 on the right hand.

The controller dial and pointer hitherto described has been reduced to its's mplest terms, in its relation to control of a single valve. As shown in Figure 5, however, this element is shown in complete. form as used in actual practice in the control of a gas set. Here the finger 11 carries abrush 12 comprising five springs moving over as many concentric circles. In each of these circles is shown a series tionary contacts corresponding to the typical contactsshown at 13 and 14 in Figure Each operating contact is shown I accompanied by an emergency stop contact corresponding to that shown at 82 in Figure 3. In order to make the present invention clear with relation to thefcomplete set, in-

cluding the interlocking feature,

it will only be necessary to follow in detail one operation. Figures 4' and 5 show the detailed circuit'sfor carrying out all the operations in their interlocked relation as hereinafter The various ,valves' with their interlocking switches are shown as follows in Figures 4 and 5. The stack operator is shown at A; the upper hot valve at B; the generator blast at C; the carburetter blast at D; and the oil valve at E. It is to be understood that the steam valve is automatically opened I and closed by the respective closing and opening of the: stack. This is the usual arrangement in these sets and is not herein shown. Also the upper and lower hot the usual manner,

. so-that when either is closed the other is contacts 104 and 105.

with relation to Figure 1.

opened. The automatic actuating means for the elements shown at A to E are respectively indicated at A, B, etc. Their operation has been described in connection with {Figures 1, 1 and 1". The common shaft 22 for actuating all of these is driven by the electric motor 103.

Referring now to one example of operation, let us suppose the finger 11 to stand at zero, at the beginning of a cycle, with the movable contacts '12 touching the stationary The circuit through 104 may be traced as follows: from terminal through the switch L by wire 106 to switch 84, by wire 107 to switch 65, by wire 108 to switch L (hereinafter described) by wire 109 to switch 84, by wire 110 to switch L (hereinafter described), by wire 111 to the finger 11, brush 12, contact 104, wire 112, interlocking switch at E (closed when the oil valve is closed) wire 113, to plate 33 at A (the stack) solenoid 25 at A wire 114, switch L, wire 115, and switch L to L This opens the stack as already described At the same time the current from L, reaching the finger 11, passes by contact 105, wire 116, switch L wire 117, interlocking switch at B (when valve is open as shown) by wire 118 to plate 33 at G, solenoid 25 at C, andby wire 114 as before to switch L and terminal L This circuit opens the generator blast valve.

of adjustable stastack. These operations ures 4 and 5, it will be seen that the following operations follow in order as the springs 12 successively reach the contacts about to i be named.

The stack and generator blast having been opened at 104 and 105 as above described,

1. contact is made at 119, which acts to open the carburetter blast valve. These remain open during the blow, together with the upper hot valve which was left open after the previous cycle of blow and run. This blow lasts until fixed terminals 120, 121, 1 22, 123 when the following operations take place. i

Current through 121 closes the carburetter blast valve; through 122 closes the generator blast valve; through 123 closes the inaugurate the run. Itis this condition which is illustrated in Figures 4. and 5. these operations is looking switches.

When the brush 12 reaches 124 a circuit is closed which closes the upper hot valve, thereby automatically opening the lower valve and reversing the direction of flow through the fuel. This condition continues the contacts 12 touch the,

The order of, determined by the interuntil the terminal 125 is reached, when the opened when the resetting contact is made.

This affords a few moments of purging before the stack is opened, thus saving gas. For this purpose 128 is directly connected with 105, as shown.

For interlocking purposes, and to prevent accidental disturbance of the proper order .of operations, each valve A, B, C, D, E is is provided with aproper drum controller or switch indicated in diagram in Figures 4 and 5 by the several groups of mutually insulated brushes shown at A, B C 1) and E moving-over stationary conducting strips whose mutual relations are shown developed upon a plane, for greater clearness. It will be seen that, by using this system, the operation of a given member must be not ,only begun but completed before locked operation can take place. I

By inspecting the circults shown in the drawing, it will be seen that they are so interrelated through the switches at A B etc., that the following orders of operatlons are insured.

The oil valve must close before the stack opens the stack must close before the oil an accidental failure of current.

valve opens-the hot valve must be opened before the generator blast valve will open the hot valve and the stack must open before the carburettor blast valve will open-the generator blast valve and the carburetter blast valve must both close before the stack will close.

The main switch L is associated with a no voltage alarm comprising a bell 129 which rings when current fails in the magnet 130, the coils of which are constantly in the main circuit. This is a well known device for making it known when there is When this occurs, the engineer in charge can complete the cycle by manual operation of the hydraulic valves.

Occasions may arise when it may become desirable to carry the set through one or more cycles of operation involving time intervals not in accordance with the usual normal operation as established by the particular arrangement of fixed contacts existing in the controller 10. In order to be able to do this conveniently without having to disturb the normal condition of said controller, it is preferred to connect up with a system a special manual operator shown in its proper electric connection but on a small scale at F in Figure 5. This will now be described with reference to Figure 6 which shows the preferred construction in detail and on a larger scale.

This manual operator comprises a row of push buttons G, each cooperating in a well known manner with one of the pairs of spring contacts in the group shown at H to close its appropriate circuit. One spring in each pair is connected as shown with a common wire 131 leading to one side of the switch L The remaining springs in the various pairs H are connected, as shown in Figure 5, to wires leading to the various operating groups A, B, C, etc. In other words, these springs correspond in the manual controller to the various fixed contacts in the automatic controller 10. The buttons are shown white and black alternately. The white buttons serve for opening the different valves and the black buttons for closing them. The first pair of buttons, starting at the left in Figures 5 and 6, controls the stack; the next pair controls the upper hot valve; the next the generator blast valve; the next the carburetter blast valve; and the last pair controls the oil valve.

This apparatus is contained in a box furnished with a hinged cover 182, fastened in any desired manner, and, when closed, preventing access to the buttons G. In order to prevent both the automatic and the manual systems being available at the same time, the normal shut down switch takes the form shown at L having its operating handle ex tending through a slot in the top of the box,

neeaeoa and being furnished with a pin 133 which engages an extension on the cover 132. This locks the cover when the switch L* is closed. Within the box there is a pivoted bar 134 drawn upward by the spring 135, but depressed as shown when the cover 132 is closed by means of a rod 136 upon which the extension on the cover descends.

The switch L having been thrown to shut down the automatic system, and the cover 132 being raised, the bar 135i moves upward until the pin 137. which it carries, comes behind lhc switch lever L" (see dotted lines in Figure (3). This prevents closure of this switch as long as the cover 132 is raised.

The two-way switch L within the box normally keeps the wire 111 connected with the wire 110 going to the main terminal L, and thus keeps the automatic controller in operative condition. This switch is kept closed for this purpose by a rod 138 which is pressed down y the cover 132 when closed. As soon as the cover is lifted, however, the spring 139 throws the switch L up, and the wire 110 is brought into connection with wires 1 10 and 131. Since the wire MO is connected directly to the end of run contact 127, the effect of this upward move ment of the switch L is the same as that resulting from contact between a brush 1:2 with the terminal 127 during normal operation of the controller 10. Therefore the controller finger 11 returns at once to zero.

[it the same time, since the wire 181 is connected to one side of each pair of springs a in the group H, the connecting of this wire with L by the upward movement of the switch L makes it possible to close circuit through any one of the valve operating systems A A", etc., by pushing the appropriate button in the group G.

It will thus be seen that, by throwing the switch L (thus unlocking the cover 132) and then raising this cover, the switch L is locked and the switch L acts automatically to return the main controller 10 to zero, and to place in operative condition a group of push buttons G whereby the entire set can be operated manually in accordance with any desired time schedule. Closing of the cover disconnects the manual apparatus, connects the main controller finger 11 to the main terminal L by wires 111 and 110, and unlocks the shut down'switch L, which can then be returned to normal, in which position it locks the cover 132.

Various changes may be made in this apparatus without departing from the scope of the invention, which is not limited to the details herein shown and described.

What I claim is- 1. In apparatus of the class described, an intermittent actuator therefor and a more rapid continuous actuator therefor, electromagnetic means for shifting from the intermittent to the continuous actuator, a circuit zero point. I z

2. In apparatus otthe class described, an

electric motor for driving the same, two branch circuits for energizing'the same, externalmeans forcontrolling one of said circuits anda second switch associated with the a controller and adapted tobe opened autoa plurality matically when the controller reaches its normal or zero position, whereby, on opening the external branch, the motor will continue to operate the controller until zero pbsition is reached. p

3.- In apparatus of the class described, a continuous actuator and an intermittent actuator therefor, electromagnetic means for shifting'from the intermittent to the continuous actuator, a circuit for said means including an external shut down switch, and automatic means when the controller switch reaches the normal or zero position.

4. In apparatus of the character described, of valves, actuating'devices for each, and electro-magnetic controlling means for each actuating device; in combination with a main circuit controller in circuit with said electromagnetic means comprising a dial, contact members carried thereby and arranged in sets upon circles at different distances from the center, a revoluble finger carrying contact members adapted to move over said circles, and motive means for revolving said finger wherein the motive means for the finger comprise a motor, two

gear trains driven thereby one of which is arranged for intermittent movement and the other of which is arranged for continuous movement, a shiftable clutch for bringing one or the other of said trains into driving relation with said finger, an electro-magnetic shifting means for said clutch, and means for closing circuit through said shifting means.

- 5. In apparatus of the character described, a plurality of valves, actuating devices for each, and electro-magnetic controlling means for each actuating device; in combination with a main circuit controller in circuit with said electro-magnetic means comprising a dial, contact members carried thereby and v arranged 1n sets upon circles at diiferent distances from the center, a revoluble finger carrying contact members adapted to move over said circles, and motive means for revolving said finger wherein the motive means for the finger comprise a motor,'two

gear trains driven thereby one of which is arranged for intermittent movement and the of which is arranged for continuous movement, a shiftable clutch for bringing said circuit when the controller SWIiJClI reaches the normal or for opening said circuitone or-the other of said trains into driving relation with said finger, an electro-magnetic shifting means for said clutch, and a circuit for said shifting means including a switch adapted to be automatically opened by the controller on'reaching zero position.

6. In apparatus of the character described, a plurality of valves, actuating devices for each, and electro-magnetic controlling means for each actuating device; with a main circuit controller in circuit with said electro-magnetic means comprising a dial, contact members carried thereby and arranged in sets upon circles at diti'erent distances from the center, a revoluble finger carrying contact members adapted to move over said circles, and motive means for revolving said finger wherein the motive means for the finger comprise a motor, two gear trains driven thereby one of which is rranged for intermittent movement and the other ofiwhich is arranged for continuous movement, a shiftable clutch for bringing in combination one or the other of said trains into driving a each, and electro-magnetic controlling means for each actuating device: in combination with a. main circuit controller in circuit with said electro-magnetic means comprising a dial, contact menibers carried thereby and arranged in sets upon circles at diiierent distances from the center, a revoluble finger carrying contact members adapted to move over said circles, and motive means for revolving said finger wherein the motive means for the finger comprise a motor, two gear trains driven thereby one of which is arranged t'or intermittent movement and the other of which is arranged for continuous movement, a shi-ftable clutch for bringing one or'the other of said trains into driving relation with said finger, an electro-magnetic shifting means for said clutch, a circuit for said shifting means having two branches one of which includes a switch automatically closed by operation of the shifting means together with a switch adapted to-be automatically closed by the controller'in zero position, and the other including a special contact in the controller adapted to close the circuit temporarily.

8. In apparatus of the character described, a revoluble motive means adapted to open and close the same alternately by vits ber and a closing contact member, and means actuated by the motive means for the valve for opening circuit through one of said contact members while preparing a second circuit to be completed when the other of said contact members comes into operation.

9. In apparatus of the character described, a revoluble motive means adapted to open and close the same alternately by its successive increments, and electro-magnetic controlling means for producing successive limited movements of said motive means for such alternate opening and closing of the valve in combination with a main controller switch comprising an opening contact member and a closing contact member, and means actuated by a partial movement of said valve motive means for establishing a circuit through the electro -magnetic controlling means independent of the main controller switch. I

10. In apparatus of the class described, a plurality of valves, actuating devices for each, and electro-magnetic controlling means for each actuating device; in combination with a main circuit controller in circuit with said electromagnetic means, a movable contact member and an end of run contact, slow moving and swift moving actuating gears for said controller, a solenoid, means actuated thereby for shifting the controller mechanism from one set of actuating gears to another. an electric circuit including said end of run contact and said solenoid and a switch for said circuit actuated by the mechanism which actuates the main controller and adapted to break the solenoid circuit when the controller reaches zero position.

11. Apparatus as in claim 10 wherein the controller actuated gears are driven by an electric motor and wherein the switch includes means for breaking the motor circuit when the main controller reaches zero position.

12. Apparatus as in claim 10 wherein the shifting means actuated by the solenoid includes means for closing a circuit through the solenoid in shunt with the end of run contact.

13. Apparatus as in claim 10 comprising a switch (as an operating lever there for (as means for supporting said lever (as 62) and means for withdrawing said support actuated by the swift moving actuating gears.

14. Apparatus as in claim 10 comprising a switch (as 55) an operating lever therefor (as 60) means for supporting said lever and means for lifting said lever into supported position actuated by the swift moving actuating gears.

15. Apparatus as in claim 10 comprising switch members (as 67) in the circuit of the end of run contact and solenoid, and means actuated by the swift moving actuating gears for closing circuit at said switch members.

16. Apparatus as in claim 10 comprising switch members (as 67) in the circuit of the end of run contact and solenoid, a shaft driven by said swift moving gears, and an arm on said shaft carrying a conducting member (as 68) adapted to bridge said switch members.

17. Apparatus as in claim 10 comprising switch members (as 67) in the circuit of the end of run contact and solenoid, a switch for controlling the solenoid circuit in series with said switch members, a shaft driven by said swift moving gears, an arm on said shaft for closing said first named switch and an arm on said shaft for closing said second named switch.

In testimony whereof I have hereto set my hand on this 23rd da of December, 1922.

JA ES S. KENNEDY. 

